ANOTHER SWEEP FORWARD BY THE FRENCH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2924, 9 November 1916, Page 5

ANOTHER SWEEP FORWARD BY THE FRENCH

TWO VILLAGES CAPTURED BRILLIANT ATTACK IN HEAVY RAIN The High Commissioner reports:— London, November 7,12.30 p.m. A French official report says: "North of the Somme we made progress between Lesboeufs and Sailly-Saillisel. South of the Somme an attack in spite of heavy rain gave us Important gains. On a front of four kilometres (over 3 miles) we captured the enemy's positions from Chaulnes Wood to the Ablaincourt sugar factory. Our infantry completely carried the villages of Ablaincourt and Pressoir. Pressing our lines east of Ablaincourt, we captured the fortified cemetery of that village, and pressed forward our positions southwards of the 6Ugar factory to the outskirts of Gomiecourt. Five hundred prisoners have been counted."

FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (By Telegraphr-Press Association—Copyright). Australian-New Zealand Oablo Association. London, Novomber 7. '"' A French official communique states: "The French share of the captures include 40,796 men and 809 officers." • The High Commissioner reports:— London, November 7, 2.50 pirn. A French official report states: "From Jtily 1 to November 1 the French and British took prisoner on the Somme front 1449 officers, 71,532 men; also captured 173 field-guns, 130 heavy guns, 214 trench mortars, 981 machineguns." [A French communique gives different figures: 1439 officers, 91,532 men.] SIR. DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. , (Aust—JT.Z. Cable Assn. and Bejiter.) London, November 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports rain and gales on the British front. (Rec. November 8, 5.35 p.m.) London, November 7. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Heavy rain is falling. There is considerable hostile shelling in the Lesboeufs area. Wo bombarded the enomys' trenches at Armentieres and Wytschaete." The High Commissioner reports: i London, November 7, 12.11 p.m. A British official message states: "During the night wo improved' our position at the Butte de Warlencourt. We carried out successful raids between Gommecourt and Serres." , GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Aust.— N.Z. Cable Assn. and Renter.) (Rec. November S.- 5.35 0.m.) London, November 7. A German official communique states: "The Australian Division suffered severely on the Sommo on November 5." Aiißtralian-Nflw Zealand Cabin Association. (Rec. November 8, 3.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, November 7. A German official communique states: "German air squadrons set fits to a great ammunition depot south-west of Bray. There were big explosions." GERMANS ADMIT A TERRIFIC OFFENSIVE. New York, November 7. A wireless message from Berlin states that tho Allies made a terrific offensive on the Somme. The casualties on both sides were heavy. The French and Australian troops charged time after time across fields covered with dead.